Restaurant chain Chipotle said it will increase restaurant wages resulting in a $15 average hourly wage by the end of June, as it looks to bring on 20,000 workers.
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Monday that it will raise hourly pay for restaurant workers and also introduce employee referral bonuses for its wider staff as it looks to make 20,000 new hires across the country to support its peak season and new restaurant openings.
Wages will reach an average of $15 an hour by the end of June while referral bonuses will be set at $200 for crew members and $750 for apprentices or general managers, the company said.
The pay hike for new and existing workers, both hourly and salaried, will roll out over the next few weeks with hourly crew wages starting in the range of $11 to $18 per hour. There are also opportunities to advance to a restaurateur position, which is the highest-ranking general manager, with average compensation of $100,000 a year, Chipotle said.
Speaking to CNBC, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol said the current labor market is among the most challenging he’s seen in his career in the restaurant industry. “We are sharing with people that it’s not just a job right now, but it’s actually a job that can lead to a meaningful career,” Niccol stated.
